Chapter 414 3 Mens job 3/3 (1/2)

Rhode gazed coldly at Anne who was rubbing her hands uneasily. At this moment, the young lady was in a mess. Her hair and cheeks were covered in filthy dust and bruises were visible on her body. Although this incident didn't take a drastic turn like the popular 'mysterious chariot continuous killings' incident, this current situation wasn't anything worth celebrating in Rhode's eyes.

”You have had a hard time, Anne. How did it feel?”

Rhode asked sarcastically as he gazed at the young lady before him. In response, Anne showed an awkward smile.

”I-It's still alright, Leader… Better than expected…”

”Alright, I'm not about to chit-chat with you now.”

Rhode frowned and knocked on the table as his tone turned colder and sterner.

”I recall clearly that I ordered you to stay in the fortress. So why did you disobey my orders?”

”That… Because…”

Anne struggled for an answer. But, she finally confessed everything after giving in to Rhode's strict interrogation. Although Rhode had forbidden her from leaving the fortress, Anne was unwilling to take on the troublesome and trivial tasks. In the end, she sneaked into the trunk of the chariot and traveled with them.

This decision by Anne required a lot of courage. Although this chariot was specially customized, its trunk was designed with a small space. Furthermore, it was filled with traveling clothes, boxes, repair tools, and various junks, and its greasy smell and the filthy dust were unbearable for anyone. It was torturous for Anne with a tall stature, as she had to curl up to squeeze into the trunk.

Got to say, this journey was definitely painful for Anne. Furthermore, Rhode didn't stop the chariot for a rest as he was rushing for time. The comfortable cushion couldn't absorb all the impacts from the bumpy road, not to mention Anne, who was in the hard, stiff trunk. The twists and turns had left the young lady in bruises. If it wasn't for her Wind Elemental Awakening, she might have been half-dead by now.

”What about those mercenaries?”

”Anne left them with Uncle Marfa. Since Uncle Marfa is so reliable, there shouldn't be any problem.”

”Have you spoken to him personally?”

Rhode was a little surprised after listening to Anne's confident answer. Although Rhode did not interact much with Marfa, this middle-aged mercenary was always persistent and wouldn't have agreed to such an odd request by Anne. If Marfa did agree, then Rhode suspected that he might have made an error in his judgment. Or, perhaps, Anne got away using her honeytrap?

”Yup.”

Anne nodded as though nothing was wrong.

”Anne told Uncle that Anne couldn't do a good job looking after the mercenaries and left them to him. Anne was about to look for Leader but Uncle gave Anne a harsh lecture…”

”Then?”

”Then Anne left a note for Uncle before sneaking out!”

Anne straightened her body and puffed out her chest proudly as though she was expecting an award for her successful escape plan. Meanwhile, Rhode couldn't find the strength to sigh. Is she hoping for me to sing praises for her dereliction of duty…?

”You have once again violated my orders. Anne, are you not afraid that I will expel you from the guild?”

Rhode questioned sternly as he gazed at the arrogant young lady before him. After hearing his words, the proud young lady Anne lowered her head in dejection.

”Yes, Anne is afraid that Leader will chase me away.”

”So, why did you do that?”

”But Anne feels more comfortable being with Leader. It's too boring to stay in the fortress and train the mercenaries!”

Although Rhode's first intention was to send Anne back to the fortress right here, right now, he quickly realized that this thought was not doable at all. From this action of hers, he knew that she would do anything in her favor. He could guarantee that if he didn't send Anne all the way back to the fortress, she would once again sneak her way back, which was totally possible. On the other hand, Rhode didn't wish to waste any more time on these needless matters as time wasn't on his side now. Furthermore, he didn't want to suffer two or three more trips on this bumpy road any longer.

He looked at Anne before him but didn't know what to say.